Missing trader murdered

The mutilated body of a trader, a rope tied around his neck, was found in a wetland in Maheshtala on Sunday morning.

Police said Aditya Mandal’s body was recovered after the arrest of a man, who “admitted” to have killed the 30-year-old supplier of building construction materials over a business dispute.

“Mohammad Firoz, the accused, led us to the wetland where the body was lying,” said an officer of Maheshtala police station.

Mandal last left his Maheshtala home on March 13, telling his family members that he would meet a client. “When he didn’t return the next day, his family lodged a complaint against Mohammad Firoz and two others. The family claimed Mandal was last seen with Firoz on March 13 evening,” the officer said.

The police found Firoz’s role suspicious after a preliminary probe and arrested him. “He broke down during interrogation and admitted to have murdered Mandal,” said another police officer.

“Firoz and his two associates, who are at large, strangled Mandal with a rope in an deserted place. One of Firoz’s associates called up the victim, luring him out by promising a lucrative business deal. When Mandal turned up at the designated place, they abducted and murdered him,” said the officer.